As a person reaches his senior years, it can be difficult to take care of his aging teeth. A lot of older adults lose their natural teeth as they lose their ability to properly take care of them. There are some factors related with age which make it more difficult for older people to do hygiene steps necessary for great dental health.
Age-Related Challenges in Caring For Teeth
A number of the primary factors which make it difficult for an elderly person to take care of his own teeth include the following:
- Arthritis and some related conditions which limit dexterity. This can hinder the ability of a senior person to clean his own teeth and gums properly using a toothbrush.
- Age-related memory lapses, Alzheimer’s disease or mild dementia. This is likely to cause a number of older individuals to forget about dental care, although they have always been great at establishing oral hygiene habits before.
- When a senior person loses his natural teeth and is recently fitted with dentures, sometimes there can be negligence to the proper cleaning procedures. This can be because of inexperience or just forgetfulness.
Senior Oral Health
The provider of comfort care home health care in Stony Island Chicago Illinois of your aging parent can help in assisting you and your parent in taking good care all of your senior’s gums and teeth no matter if he wears dentures or has natural teeth. Our caregiver at Comfort Care Home Health Care provides encouragement and reminders to clean teeth following every meal as well as assists in the oral hygiene. Here are some tips that can be helpful.
- Consider an electric toothbrush. With this, toothbrush brushing your parents’ teeth will be a lot easier especially if he has limited dexterity with his fingers and hands. This brush is good to eliminate plaque as well as clean and stimulate the gums.
- If your elderly parent has finger immobility or serious arthritis, put something large and easy to grasp on the electric toothbrush’s hand like a bicycle handle grips.
- Use only the recommended denture cleaners. Some household cleaners can be too harsh and are likely to irritate your parent’s mouth.
Make sure you talk and report to the doctor of your senior parents about any changes in his health that includes oral health. Sometimes it could be a symptom of a disease or a side effect of a medication so make sure that his or her health is always checked.
If you want our caregiver to work with you in ensuring your loved one has good oral health, give us a call now at 773-221-4400. You can also check out our website for more information on our home care services http://www.comfortcarehha.com/.
